Hillsdale-Lenawee County MI Archives Obituaries.....Bell, Ira W. June 15, 1912
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Pat McArthur http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00025.html#0006091 September 14, 2013, 11:21 am

Adrian Daily Telegram, June 18, 1912


Daily Telegram (Adrian, MI), Tuesday, June 18, 1912, Page: 5



AN OLD CIRCUIT RIDER DEAD AT HILLSDALE



Had Served Circuits in Jasper and Ridgeway; Had Twelve Appointments in One Ride.



HILLSDALE, Mich., June 18. -- The death of Rev. Ira W. Bell at the home of his 
daughter, Mrs. J. S. Matthewson, in this city Saturday night, marks the passing 
of one of the pioneer circuit riders of Michigan. He came to Michigan in 1858 
and after teaching school for several years in this county, entered the 
ministry in 1869 for the Free Methodist denoination. He served circuits at 
Ransom, Coopersville, Spring Arbor, Oakville, Jasper and Ridgeway for this 
denomination, on the Ridgeway circuit having twelve appointments to attend and 
135 mies to cover with the aid of one assistant.



Often in the early days a sick family and a nearly barren cupboard were left at 
home while duty called him to other points. As presiding elder, Mr. Bell 
traveled for six years through lower Michigan and northern Ohio, often being 
from home from six to ten weeks. In the later years of his ministry he joined 
the Congregationalists and served charges at Prattville, Edmore and Roscommon. 
He also preached in Pittsford and Morenci. For forty years he was engaged in 
active pastoral work and after his retirement, when he made his home in Waldron 
and at Lickley's Corners, he frequently acted as a supply preacher and 
officiated at countless wedding, funerals and christenings for former pupils 
and parishioners and their families.



Mr. Bell was 79 years old. He leaves two daughters, Mrs. G. W. Hursh of 
Lickley's Corners, and Mrs. J. S. Matthewson, with whom he resided after the 
death of his wife two years ago; three grandsons, Lewis W. Bailey of Detroit, 
Arden S. Matthewson and Gerald B. Hursh, and two great-grandchildren, Russell 
and Clara Bell Bailey.



Mr. Bell will be buried at the Burt cemetery in Ransome township, on Tuesday 
afternoon at 4 o'clock, and the numberous friends in that section of the county 
will be permitted to view the body at the cemetery. The funeral service 
occurred at 10 a.m. this morning.

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